Chapter Text
While he was fairly certain Hades would be on the same page about bringing their mother in. Since at this page it seemed like their younger brother had gotten far too out of control.
It was always best to actually have the conversation to confirm it before he sent his eldest to retrieve their mother he figured.
Since they were going to be reading for the next several more chapters they did not need the extra tension of bringing someone else on that they were not on the same page on.
(Admittedly he probably should have asked his wife also about this in hindsight. But he was fairly certain Amphitrite would not have an issue about this once he explained why he was bringing mother in.
Just wished she had been given some kind of warning in advance.
He would need to do better next time. If there was a next time.)
“So I assume this is about bringing mother into the reading in?”
“Yes I’ve been thinking more about what she could possibly do in helping us reign in our brother. Since someone obviously needs to do it and obviously whatever actions we are doing it not having the intended effect. Our brother loves her dearly. If push comes to shove and he won’t listen to anyone on the council-”
“He’ll listen to her.” Hades finished.
“Which considering what we are learning through the process of this book.”
“Is going to be pretty important.” Hades said with a tired sigh. “I am guessing that it also is helped by the fact that at the moment you probably want someone to reign him in after what happened with Echidna possibly?
“I…won’t deny that is part of it as well.” He said slowly. Not knowing who was behind the Echidna scare was what was really eating him up. His son had become really ill going by the book and who knew how close he had come to passing away before Benthesikyme had intervened.
If at all possible he would like to avoid all of that. And the only way to do that would be to make sure to have someone in his brother’s ear that he would truly listen to. And that would be their mother.
Since he could respond to almost anything and everything. Could help his son in almost every way that he could think of. But Echidna? There was no way to really prepare or respond to her because they didn’t know about her.
And because of the fact they didn’t know who sent her they needed to be prepared for the possibility just about anyone could have sent her. Including the possibility of their own brother. Especially considering he had already blown up the transportation for the questers once.
“Alright well it will certainly be nice to see mother again. Khaos knows its been a long time since we had a decent family activity that isn’t one of those banquets our brother throws.”
Which of course Hades couldn’t attend Poseidon realized belatedly. Part of him wanted to ask the last time he had been able to seen their mother because of the ban on Olympus amongst other things. But he had a feeling if he asked that the conversation would get unpleasant to say the least.
So possibly best to leave untouched.
“I’ll have Triton contact her.”
“The Keto kid arrived yesterday.” Dionysys commented while sipping on the cup. As Benthesykime went through some forms of possible new hires for the camp.
As they were getting closer to the start of camp. She was starting to narrow down possible people she wanted to actually bring on. People they could actually trust around camp. It had been a lengthy process.
Lengthier then she had been anticipating she had to admit. But they were finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She was hoping they might start be able to do in person interviews soon.
Maybe even after the next significant book break.
“Have they been claimed yet?”
“This morning at breakfast. Guess with word getting around I guess about the sea deities being allowed in Poseidon’s cabin I guess the mother decided to try her luck about being allowed in. Since I doubt she would have been comfortable enough with that label in the Hermes cabin.”
That made sense. Though she was a bit surprised Keto had made a move that fast. Relationships between their families had always been a bit contentious. But she guessed it would have been worse in the Hermes cabin.
“How have the other Cabin 3 residents taken it?”
“Carroline has been asking him a million miles a minute like you would probably expect given the situation. Daniel is being a bit more reserved and seems to be withholding judgement until they get to know the kid.”
“So overall not to bad so far.”
That could of course change with more residents. And it would be interesting to see what Percy’s views on the Keto boy were once she got her hands on the book again.
But so far so good as far as Cabin 3 went.
So at least that part of moving things around were working.
“Though I should let you know that’s not the only thing that’s popped up since you’re last visit.”
She frowned at that not entirely liking the tone coming from the other God. “What do you mean?”
He gave a long sigh. “There’s an issue with the Hermes cabin’s building.”
As part of the whole trying to fix the overcrowded cabin situation. Benthesikyme had been looking into trying to maybe expand some of the cabins. Or maybe move some of the cabins around.
So she had had Dionysus, reluctantly and with protest on his end, pull out some documents on the Hermes cabin. Which was how they apparently had found out that since the document tracked the state of the cabin currently.
That the cabin didn’t just look like it was falling apart.
It actually was starting to fall apart.
“I’m honestly surprised that the Hermes cabin didn’t get rebuilt during that fire you mentioned.” Benthesikyme said with a frown.
“As stupid as this probably sounds ‘the fire got lucky’ is the best way to put it. Otherwise the cabin should have been rebuilt at the time.” Dionysus said.
She was going to have to believe that. Because otherwise there was no reason for the cabin to be in its current state at the moment. And right now she was just really glad that the cabin wasn’t fully occupied.
As it was this was going to be a mess to sort out.
“We only have about a month and a half until campers start arriving to fix everything.” Which arguably should be enough time to get everything in order. But as seen by how long it had taken to just get to this point might not be enough.
“Which is why I’m suggesting moving around campers around at least ‘temporarily’ to at least allied cabins until the Hermes cabin can get fixed up.”
“Some of the children didn’t want to move though so I’m not sure how well that will go.” Benthesikyme said with a frown. That was definitely going to be a problem she felt like. She understood that they didn’t want to be separated from the friends. “Which admittedly I don’t fully understand that.”
“Yeah that is caused by a lack of cabin interactions I’m pretty sure. And could easily be fixed if Chiron would just allow more intra cabin interaction outside the weekly Capture the Flag.”
“Its enough of a problem that you noticed?” It wasn’t that she wanted to doubt him. But well he had only admitted to not always getting close to the campers. And mostly noticing stuff through observation.
“I mean I might not pay close attention to the relationships. But that kind of stuff impacts the kids mental health. And thus impacts one of my domains. So its kind of hard to miss.”
Okay that was fair enough.
“Besides when you only have two kids at the camp you notice certain things more.”
Okay that definitely was a good point.
“So you’re saying that some of the reluctance to move is because of Chiron’s bias?”
“Pretty much. I’m not saying it will magically vanish if the kids are encouraged to do more activities together. Since this has been going on for as long as I have been here so there’s a lot to unpack here. But I am saying it will probably help. Cause I don’t think they are hurting themselves with the centaur’s attitude.”
“Why won’t any of them say anything?”
“Honestly? Not too sure but my best guess is for a lot of them Chiron is the first trusted adult they had. So the idea he could be handling a situation wrong is hard to wrap their heads around.”
“So we’re going to have to be careful how we go about this?”
“Pretty much. Especially since we’re about to uproot a lot of these kids first homes.”
Lovely.
“I need to talk to Donnovan first since he’s the unofficial head of Cabin 3 at the moment before I do anything.” And with the issues he had talked about with the Hermes cabin he at least deserved a heads up about what was about to happen. “And then I guess we need to host a camp wide meeting.”
“That is going to be fun without Chiron here.”
For once she really didn’t disagree with Dionysus’ sarcasm.
Thankfully all three demigods were in the Cabin when she popped her head in there. So that made her life simpler. Since while she really just needed to talk to Donnovan. She preferred for the other two to be there to overhear the news at the same time.
“Benti!” Corral came up and gave her a hug. She had given her permission to shorten her name. After the girl had struggled with the full name the last time she had been at camp.
“Lady Benthesykime. Tell your father again thank you again for letting us stay here.” Donnovan said hanging a bit further back closer to the table he had been sitting at when she had walked in.
“I will.” Her eyes drifted over to the final member of the cabin who was lingering just behind Donnovan. The newest addition, the son of Keto.
He was shorter than Donnovan (who she thought was average for a typical 14 year old but she could be wrong). But that was to be expected because based on what she had been told while he was older than Corral he was younger than the son of Delphin. And had curly black hair pulled back into a ponytail.
Honestly between the sea green eyes and slightly tan skin if she hadn’t known better she would have thought he was one of her siblings.
And judging by the fact he hadn’t said anything it was obvious he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with himself.
“Caspian right?” She asks giving a reassuring smile. “If you’re worried I hold no ill will to you over your mother. I am mainly here to talk to Donnovan. Something has come up that I feel he should be aware of before the rest of camp is made aware of. Though if you want we can talk after.”
There’s a small pause before he nods his head. Something tells her he doesn’t talk often. And that’s his choice ultimately she supposes.
For now she has things to address with Donnovan. Though really this involves the whole cabin part of her realizes belatedly.
Donnovan frowns at her. “What’s going on?”
“You know how we’ve been going through and making changes to the camp correct?” He nods at that. “One of those was doing inspections of the cabins states. While that was being done it was found that the Hermes cabin wasn’t structurally sound.”
It tells her how much it catches the demigod off guard when he says. “Crap.”
“As you are probably already guessing that means we are going to have to move allied demigods to their respective cabins while Cabin 11 gets a rehaul at least temporarily. And any remaining water related demigods that are lingering in Cabin 11-”
“Will be coming here.” Donnovan finishes.
“Well we knew this would probably happen eventually.” Corral pipes up. “The worst offenders weren’t probably water related Donny you know that-”
“I know that I just-”
“You’re concerned naturally.” She finishes for him. He nods. “Unfortunately I wish things were better. But we still need to extend that offer to other children of water deities. We can’t necessarily bar entrance to Cabin 3 that will cause political turmoil."
“I know that I just worry.”
“And I understand that.” She sighed. Though an idea occurred to her. “That being said. You all are here as guests of my father technically. If need be I can get my father involved if they are giving Corral problems again and act as need be since this is his temple at the end of the day.”
Donnovan looked a bit skeptical. “He would do that? I mean no offense but Hermes never got involved liked that.”
“My father is not Hermes.” She deadpanned. “And he wants to help create a safe space in his cabin even if his children are currently not occupying it. And if that means acting as mediator when need be. Than he will do so.”
Of course this would become more complex at the start of summer for multiple reasons. Including the arrival of her brother. And the fact that she had actually no clue how many water deity children were in Cabin 11. She had a list of children and there parents but none had apparently tried to make the move to 3 yet.
Possibly because of the issue again Dionysus had mentioned about lack of cabins interaction with each other. And children being afraid of losing each other friends if they moved cabins.
They were definitely going to have to address that at this meeting tonight. Because if that was part of the reason children were staying in 11. Than she really needed to be having a conversation with Chiron about how he was running this place.
Well more than she was already planning on anyway.
“Thank you.”
“You came here looking for a safe space. We are not going to take it away from you just because things are more complicated now.” She assured the children
It was only after she finishes talking to Donnovan. That she realizes they can’t have the campwide meeting, not yet anyway.
They had been all prepared to talk to the children about this. Only to hit a road block neither of them had really thought about. Having to explain it to the council.
Well rather having to explain it to Zeus.
Because at this point they could no longer hide plans like this from the council. Not when it involved actual money being spent anyway and actual buildings being built.
They either needed to go in front of the council themselves about this. Or they needed someone to go as their proxy.
And neither of them were entirely sure how to handle it at this point. Since well she couldn’t exactly do that with the whole issue of a war brewing. And he who had never really shown interest in the children would definitely raise some eyebrows.
So she turned back to her father for help.
“So I seemed to have a bit of a road block with fixing camp.” She said that night.
Her father frowned at that. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t think I can proceed with fixing camp issues any further without talking to Uncle in some form.” She admitted with some great reluctance.
Before launching into detail what Dionysus had discovered about Cabin 11. What needed to be done and the issues about how camp was being handled. And how they really needed to go in front of the council now to fix things before the start of summer.
But of course they were the two people who really couldn’t go in front of the council to represent camp.
By the end her father was massaging his forehead realizing how much of a problem this was as well. “Crap.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. We can’t just leave it unaddressed obviously. That’s unsafe I don’t want Perseus going into camp in that environment for obvious reasons. But at the same time-”
“Council has control over how things are handled at camp.”
“Exactly and I am in direct opposition of Zeus right now.”
“What about grandmother? You said you are bringing her in right? Maybe she would be able to help with this?”
Admittedly Benthesykime isn’t sure how involved Rhea is with her demigod grandchildren. But at this point her grandmother seems like the only shot she has at maybe reaching the council and getting change done before the start of summer.
“It’s certainly an idea. And probably the only one that might work.” He agreed. “I’ll let you know when I am finished telling her what is going on. And then let you and Hestia tell her about what needs to be addressed.”
She blinks surprised at first that she is the one proposing the plan. But then realizes it makes sense. She is one of the Gods that is most entrenched in making all these changes. And Hestia is already aware of the problems so them presenting it together makes sense. “Thank you father.”
At least there was a chance now.
Along with bringing mother into the reading. They had decided on a bit more of a controversial add. Well controversial depending on who you asked.
Demeter.
Hades naturally hadn’t been the most enthusiastic about telling his mother in law about the missing helm. Even knowing she was going to find out about it eventually one way or another.
And Poseidon honestly couldn’t full blame him from what he did know of the relationship. But at the same time with the way her daughter seemed to be getting close to his son on the quest…
And with the Great Prophecy looming…
It didn’t seem like the worst idea to have her involved.
Even if he knew it was definitely going to cause conflicts. And possible headaches for the rest of the Gods in attendance.
Demeter raised an eyebrow at the list of gods in attendance once he had explained the situation and who was involved. “That is a bit of an oddball group. How did my son in law and daughter get involved in this?”
“Hades had his helm stolen during the solstice at the same time as the master bolt. He came to the same conclusion, admittedly for different reasons most likely, that my son was behind the theft. When we started to notice the odd behavior we confronted him. And once that came out well-”
“Things made sense.” Demeter concluded before frowning as she realized a detail. “You do have a son?”
“Yes, though he is not the thief.” He is quick to add that. Since he really does not need them going down that rabbit hole yet again. “We do not know who it is the book. Will not tell us it until later apparently. Which is rather annoying.”
Apparently no matter how many changes they made. The fact that the thief had yet to reveal himself. Was still something that remained clouded in mystery from what they could tell.
And at this point he was starting to wonder just how long they were going to have to get to the end of the book before they found it out.
“Why will the book not tell you that?”
“We are not sure. Best guess is that the thief is keeping his reveal for a later date for unknown reason.” And giving himself a lot of stress in the meantime for some reason. He cannot understand why the thief has a reason to be keeping his identity hidden at this point.
There is obviously something he is missing here. Probably something to do with the fact the child is a demigod and seems to be hiding within the camp for unknown reasons.
But he can’t put them together quiet yet. And it bothers him quiet a bit.
“And our brothers do they know about him?”
“Hades, yes. The Sky King should not. Hades I’m not sure when he found out about him.” Hades had never given him a clear answer on that. “As for our other brother he shouldn’t be aware of him. Since my son wasn’t at the council when the theft happened. I made blatantly sure of that. He just blindly accused the boy he didn’t even know existed at the time.”
The only thing he had gotten right about the situation was Percy happened to be in New York. But that was because he was visiting his mother. That was it.
If he wanted to use that logic. He would also have to accuse every other person in Manhattan. Which was a considerable population last Poseidon checked.
Demeter frowned. “Why wouldn’t he-” She breaks off. “You kept him from knowing to make sure there was no way our brothers could find him by accident.”
“Yes.”
“That makes sense. And pretty much eliminates any chance of him being the thief. Even though the accusations never made sense to begin with.”
It was nice to not have to to swear an oath for once involving the theft once someone found out about Percy’s existence. And have someone actually think somewhat logically involving this. Though he isn’t sure how calm she will remain she is going to remain when she finds out her daughter is friends with his son.
“Though while I appreciate being brought in. I do not fully understand the choice of informing me in particular since its apparent your not informing all of the eldest children. Or else you would also be informing Zeus and Hera which I take it you’re not?”
“No, I’m honestly afraid at this point this kind of information in his hands especially would cause more problems then it would help unfortunately. Especially with how paranoid he’s been recently.”
They might reach a point where he is forced to bring in his brother. But for the moment he is trying to avoid it as much as possible.
“...I could see that unfortunately.” She agreed with a wince. “So again why me? Do not take me wrong I am glad to help. I am just wondering.”
“Percy has befriended one of your demigod children.”
Apparently that wasn’t entirely what Demter was expecting. “Wait, what?”
“So let me see if understand the timeline correctly: he stood up for her against the Athena girl when she made the comment about my children not being powerful.”
“Yes.”
“Which lead to her standing up to the Athena girl when she used him as bait in Capture the Flag game. When he was badly beaten up by several other children.”
“Also correct.”
“And then a second time when she was bullying him in tutoring. Which then lead to him choosing her over the Athena girl on a quest. Just for simply being a bit kinder?”
“Yes.”
“...I don’t know if I should be offended that he would pick someone over something so simple or not that he is willing to pick someone over such small acts of kindness.”
Suddenly he felt a flicker of worry as something occurred to him. He hadn’t thought of the fact that telling Demeter might lead to a negative reaction to the friendship. And she might try to interfere in them becoming friends.
And that was the last thing he needed. The Demeter girl had been an obvious lifeline to Percy after his claiming. And if Demeter interfered in his friendship…
Well he had a lot of concerns about what would happen in its place. Particularly if the Athena girl might actually get taken in her place. Who he did not trust what so ever.
He sighed. “Percy has had a number of self worth issues to say the least. Its something we are looking into getting help with once he’s at camp. But as you’ll see once you get into the book. He does genuinely enjoy spending time with your daughter from what we’ve seen. Even if picking her was maybe from a lack of options and self worth at the time. Though I will say I think he might have picked her even with more options.”
“Right the defense you mentioned. I am so used to Chiron’s unfortunate treatment of mine and Aphrodite’s children. That us being considered is almost unusual.”
“He seems to have found a good friend in her. Even if I know you must have reservations because of the Great Prophecy.”
“But if at least mine we can make sure he has better support than whatever you are describing with that Athena girl. Since my own reservations aside. From what you’ve told me of your son so far she is not what he needs.”
Well good to know at least another member of the council was on his side. For whenever the quest started to actually happen live. Since he had a feeling that was going to be very much in handy.
He left Demeter with a copy of the book and went to find his mother. Who he had a better idea of what to expect from the conversation.
He wasn’t going to mention Echidna since they had no way of knowing if he sent her. He would let her draw her own conclusions on that one.
But the bus? It was easy enough to talk about since well there was no one else to blame the situation on in that situation.
Combine that with the paranoia Zeus had been showing for the past few months. And well it was easy enough to explain to their mother both why they wanted her there. Along with why they weren’t quite ready to bring their brother into this whole situation.
If ever.
“So when do I get to meet this grandson of mine?”
“We’re still working on the book. Once you’re caught up with it entirely we were hoping you would join the rest of us in the reading so we all know where everyone is on the same page.”
Of course there was still the issue of Dionysus. But again barring figuring out some miracle of talking his brother out of the punishment Dionysus was stuck reading the book at camp.
Reading the book simply took too much time. His brother would definitely notice if Dionysus was away for the readings.
“So I assume I can’t meet him until after then?”
“I haven’t even seen him yet mother. He’s currently in a boarding school enrolled by his mortal mother. Plan is once the semester wraps that we are to meet for the first time.”
Or the first time that he remembers anyway.
“On to more serious matters. I assume you and your brother already realize what this plan reeks of?”
“Father?” He really had been hoping they were wrong on this. But if anyone would know best if their father was involved in this kind of plan. It would definitely be their mother of course. “Amphitrite and I put it together a while back and talked to Hades about it. We were hoping that we were wrong on that front. But not many would be willing to back a thief against our brother…”
“Benthesykime also wanted to talk to you about something if you had a moment.”
“Of course I have a moment for one of my grandchildren.”
Benthesykime can’t help but feel a bit worried about this conversation. Even knowing that there is no real reason to be worried about asking her grandmother for help with her uncle on what is going on at camp.
After all if anyone is likely to help at camp. It is her grandmother. This should be the simplest of asks.
But she also knows that she honestly wasn’t sure what they were going to do if Zeus didn’t listen to her grandmother. He needed to listen to her. They needed to get the cabin fixed or else she did not want to think of the consequences.
Benthesykime did wonder just how they had managed to let it get to such a state of disrepair. She has her theories of course and what she knows along with it.
She knew some of it was general wear and tear. But just how had Chiron not looked at things for so long to let a cabin become so badly damaged that it was quiet literally fallen apart.
And how had no one else noticed it?
Was it because Zeus was so gungho about the Ancient Laws? That the council just never really looked at their children that much? Or was Chiron just neglecting certain parts of the camp?
Dionysus had admitted he knew the cabin had looked bad. But he had never really looked that closely at the state of things before now. Because getting ‘father to do anything with camp had felt like pulling teeth’.
Which was why getting their grandmother involved in their little quest was so important. Everyone knew Zeus adored his mother. And if anyone could get him to do anything about the camp.
It was her.
Or at least that was Benthesykime’s hope.
“It’s…bad. I don’t know how much you’ll get to see of it. Since we’ve already begun to make changes. And the book changes with the changes. But I could go on for a while about the issues with camp.”
She honestly wondered how her grandmother was going to take Zeus’ opinion on the Ancient Laws. Considering that she was the Titaness of Motherhood. And that was disconnecting some of the demigods from their parents…
That was honestly one of the issues brought up in the book. And only could be half solved by bringing her in. They obviously couldn’t solve the other half of the equation since that involved her grandfather. Who may or may not be trying to launch a war currently against them.
But at the very least this could help with some of the Ancient Laws hopefully.
Maybe.
“I mean I already assumed there was a problem if you were asking for my help now in trying to run interference with my son. And not wanting to wait until the bolt issue was resolved?”
Yes since that would be the simpler issue. Since her uncle might be more receptive to camp changes when he had the bolt back in his hands. Might being the key word.
“No since with what we found who knows if we can wait until that is resolved. Since Uncle has been steadily blaming father for the theft of the bolt for the past five months. And the book still hasn’t told us who is actually behind it. And even without us knowing the identity…”
“One of you approaching him at the moment would look suspicious because of my son’s paranoia?”
“Pretty much.” Benthesikyme admitted. “At this point we have reached the point we can no longer do nothing. One of the cabins is in such a state of disrepair it is no longer structurally sound.”
“Oh my.”
“-Which means we need to act now. But in order to do anything with the camp first we must act with the council’s approval which means also my Uncle’s approval.”
“And he will not take anything from you naturally.”
“No.”
“But he will from me?”
“That is the hope.” Since she really didn’t want the children to remain stuck in a literally unsafe cabin for longer than they had to be.
“How did it even get to be like that?”
“I am unsure to be honest. I only know some of the details of why the cabin has gotten like that. Some of the cabins are a bit closed off about talking about why things are the way they are unfortunately.” She admitted with a wince.
And with Donovan and Corral they had never gotten close enough with the other Hermes residence. To be told really why the cabin had gotten in such a state. So her best guess was just time at the moment.
“And Dionysus bless him…admits to not being the most approachable god to the children at times. So that makes it hard for him to gather information from.”
“So in other words ways to get information about camp has been limited?”
“Pretty much. I have been trying. I have also been talking to the naiads and the nymphs. But the naiads have been labeled as ‘flirts’ by some of the campers so they are avoided. And the nymphs are only interacted with by some of the campers. So they can only help so much yet again.”
So once again it seemed like they were left with having to brute force the situation.
“Well no guarantees since when he gets in a mood. Sometimes he will not listen to anyone. But I will try my best.”
Well that was the best she can hope for.
“Thank you grandmother.”
Maybe it was a foolish idea to check on his younger brother. But also Chiron and the satyr had managed to miss the presence of a fury right under their noses for six months so…
He felt like he could be here fairly safe. As long as he didn’t get close enough to be identified without the mist.
“The prophecy does say he shall reach 16 against all odds.” Benthesikyme reminds him gently.
“I know.” He said with a sigh. And that was contingent on the prophecy being about his brother and not someone else. Which shouldn’t be possible but after the past couple of months Triton wouldn’t be shocked by anything at this point. “And as of right now he is the prophecy right.”
Unless by some miracle the Zeus child came back. Which of course wasn’t impossible. There were methods to bring her back. Particularly the Golden Fleece.
But no one even knew where that was now. Let alone how to bring that back to the tree to bring the girl back.
So for now his brother was destined to be the prophecy child for better or worse. And it definitely seemed to be worse at the moment. Because while it guaranteed him for the moment to reach 16…
It also meant he was going to have to go through a lot to get there.
“I am dreading what must be coming in the next four years if this is what he endures in just one quest.” He added quietly.
“You don’t think father hasn’t already thought of that? I am sure he is already thinking of some kind of plans to try and get him ready to deal with the prophecy.”
“I doubt our uncle will be happy about that.”
“I think he stopped caring about our uncles opinion around the time of the minotaur attack. But especially after the events of Echidna.”
Of course no one knew for sure who had sent Echidna. She had refused to state who had sent her. Or if she had Percy hadn’t heard her because he was so caught up in trying to think up a plan.
But there weren’t many options.
Either it was the Sky King angry over Medusa’s head or jumping the gun. Thinking if he’s dead he could just quiz the child and deal with the war later since war was inevitable. Or much like they were all fearing the Titan King was behind this.
And it wasn’t like any of them could exactly ask Percy to listen closer to Echidna. Not with an explanation that would make no sense to him anyway.